Bridge: Dec. 23, 2023

My wife regards my attempts at wrapping Christmas gifts with a combination of bemusement and horror.

“If you can’t wrap packages neatly,” she tells me, “can you at least make it look like they put up a good fight?”

Against today’s 3NT, West led the six of hearts. When East put up the king, declarer could have taken the ace and hoped to find the ace of diamonds with West. Instead, South judged to play low. East returned the ten: jack, queen, nine. When West led a third heart, South won and led a diamond to dummy’s jack.

MAKING

East took the queen and led a spade, and South won with the ace and led a second diamond: ten, king, ace. Declarer won the next spade and claimed the rest, making 3NT.

West didn’t put up much of a fight. Since he lacked a quick entry, to lead a third heart was futile. At Trick Three, West should shift to the queen of spades. When East gets in with the queen of diamonds, he will return a spade. Then South can take only eight tricks.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 8 6 5 4 H K 10 5 D A Q 3 C 6 4 3. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your left, opens three hearts. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s double is for takeout. He has a hand worth at least 17 points, probably with support for the unbid suits. To pass for penalty would probably get you a plus score. Either a timid three spades or a jump to four spades might work; after the preempt, unfriendly splits are likely. Bid 3NT and hope to make it.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S 9 2

H 9 3

D K J 7 6

C K Q J 7 5

WEST

S Q J 7 3

H Q 8 7 6 4

D 10 5

C 10 8

EAST

S 8 6 5 4

H K 10 5

D A Q 3

C 6 4 3

SOUTH

S A K 10

H A J 2

D 9 8 4 2

C A 9 2

South West North East
1 NT Pass 3 NT All Pass
Opening lead – H 6

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